The North Unitarian Universalist Congregation Newsletter

January 2011

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Description: Description: MCj03056690000[1]January News and Events! 

 

 

 

Delaware County Community Market

 

The Delaware Country Community Market is a fascinating new venture in downtown Delaware.  A non-profit market, you can shop there for groceries, handmade foods and other items, and household goods, and then direct 20% of the profits to your favorite non-profit.  (Yes, NUUC is on the list of nonprofits to choose from—and we have already received our first check!)  The market is open 7 days a week (10-6 weekdays and 10-4 weekends).  More information at www.dccmc.com.  The store is located at 222 East William Street.

 

 

“Orientation to Our Congregation” March 20

 

Earlier this fall we recognized several new members of our congregation.  If you would like to learn more about UU or join the congregation, be sure to sign up for the next “Orientation to our Congregation” session Sunday, March 20 from 12:00pm-1:30pm.  Rev. Susan Ritchie and a Membership Committee rep. will explain the denomination’s (and our congregation’s) history and the meaning of membership.  Babysitter service available upon request.  New and recently joined members will be recognized during service Sunday, March 27.  If you would like to join the congregation on or prior to this day, let Rev. Ritchie know - RevRitchie@aol.com  or 740-657-8081.

 

 

Service Auction Results

 

Our annual NUUC Service Auction held on Sunday, December 12 after service was a rousing success – nearly $2,700 was raised!  Thanks to all who donated and for all who stayed and purchased items and services.  This is an important fund raiser for the church, and your enthusiasm and support is so appreciated!  A special thank-you to Becca Morse for her diligent organization and awesome catalog, and to Tony Marconi for again lending his entertaining auctioneer talents!

 

Brown Bag Book Group

 

Join us on Tuesday, January 18 at noon in Fellowship Hall as we discuss Little Bee:  A Novel, a thought-provoking story by Chris Cleve about a young Nigerian refugee whose very existence changes the lives of a group of English citizens in dramatic ways.  For a complete synopsis of the book from Amazon, click here.  (LINK HERE)

 

For those who like to read ahead, we will be discussing Half Empty by David Rakoff in February.

 

Our small group continues to grow, and we are having lively discussions each month.  Won’t you join us --remember, we meet the third Tuesday of the month at 12:00 noon.

 

Happy reading!

 

Ruth Rusk

ruthrusk@midohio.net

 

 

 

NUUC Has Gone Green

 

Description: Description: C:\Users\Susan\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\C8K25T8O\MC900250896[1].wmfThanks to the help of the Building and Grounds Committee, we now have the opportunity to recycle glass, plastic (#1 & #2), aluminum, and paper/cardboard.  Please look for the correct bins to place the items to be recycled.  They are located both in the kitchen and in Nielsen House.  While helping the planet, we may even be able to make money from recycling our pop cans!  Please contact Cathy Rodeheffer with any questions (614-370-5202).

 

 

January Music Notes

 

A note to choir members:  The NUUC Choir will resume regular rehearsals on Sunday, January 16 at 9:00am.  Expect to turn in old music and pick up new music.  Please come prepared to sing “Common Ground” at the January 16 worship service.

 

A big thank you goes out to soloists Lauren Richards, Brad Dana, and Lyn Herron for singing at the three worship services while the choir is on a well-deserved break.

 

Musically yours,

 

Marlene Hartzler, Music Director

marlenemetz@yahoo.com

 

 

Women of Spirit Program

 

NUUC's women's group, “Women of Spirit,” continues a new program that might best be described as “Looking for the Feminine Soul.”  The program consists of 10 sessions and meets every 6 weeks (session One began on June 27, but you can come whenever you like).  Meetings are from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in Nielsen House or another agreed-upon location whenever noted.

 

We will be reading these novels: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, The Temple of My Familiar by Alice Walker, and/or The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan.  There also will be readings (provided) from The Dance of the Dissident Daughter (Sue Monk Kidd), The Goddess in the Gospels (Margaret Starbird), When God Was a Woman (Merlin Stone), Toward a New Psychology of Women (Dr. Jean Baker Miller), and the UU curriculum Rise Up and Call Her Name (Elizabeth Fisher).

 

Men are welcome to attend meetings.  They may be interested in “archetypes” or the bits of history that will be studied (see session six).  Women and men: come to as many (or as few) sessions as you like.

 

The remaining sessions:

6 (Jan. 23)          Inviting Men Into the Quest: What's In It For Them

7 (Mar. 6)           Assessing the Hard Facts: What is Still at Stake, part 1

                        Abuse world wide, and why

8 (Apr. 17)         Assessing, part 2

                        Book(s) discussion: The Temple of My Familiar, The Kitchen

                        God's Wife, or other

9 (May 29)         Backing Away from Power: Why is That?

                        The importance of conflict

10 (July 10)       Unlocking It

                        Just what have we “locked up”?

                        The “Water Blessing”

 

Contact person: Marty Keith  (740) 369-1919 or martykeith@verizon.net

 

 

NUUC Covenant Group News

 

Two of our three covenant groups (the Thursday evening and Saturday morning groups) are still welcoming new members.  If you are interested in participating in either of these covenant groups, just contact the group’s facilitator.

So, what is a covenant group?  Covenant groups are small groups of 6-10 people that meet monthly and allow you to explore significant questions and to experience community through deep, intentional listening.  Covenant groups are not support groups.  Nor are they intended to solve people’s problems or to provide spiritual enlightenment.  In covenant groups, people get to know each other in a neighborly way, to feel in touch with each other's lives, and to provide a context in which to think about and talk through "the big questions."  Covenant groups provide a unique experience that differs from adult education, other groups, Sunday services, or anything else you do at church.  The groups are open to NUUC members, non-members, visitors, and friends.

Covenant groups meet for 2 hours monthly, usually from October through June.  Each covenant group creates a covenant as a way they intend to be together.  Meetings have a discussion topic, follow a simple format, and are guided by a facilitator.  The format of the meetings helps participants set aside daily distractions, reflect on their lives and beliefs, and make meaningful connections with one another.

Each meeting focuses on a different topic, which leads to reflection on the deeper issues of who we are and what gives our lives meaning.   All new topics are being covered this year.

Here is specific information about each group:

 

Wednesday Morning Covenant Group (closed to new members):

l Meeting Day & Time:  3rd Wed. of month at 10 AMNoon

l Meeting Location:  Nielsen House

l Next Meeting:  January 19

l Facilitator:  John Rodeheffer (740-369-9659, jrodeheffer@insight.rr.com)

l Upcoming Topics:

   The Bucket List  (January 19)

   Sorting Our Values  (February  16)

   Ethical Wills  (March  16)

   Stages of Faith  (April 20)

   Where Would You Be Without UU?  (May 18)

   (No June meeting scheduled)

 

Thursday Evening Covenant Group (new members still welcome):

l Meeting Day & Time:  2nd Thur. evening of month at 7-9 PM

l Meeting Location:  Fellowship Hall or other locations

l Next Meeting:  January 13

l Facilitator:  Bob Keith (740-369-1919, bobkeith@frontier.com)

l Upcoming Topics (check with Bob for updated scheduling):

   Pure Joy

   Sorting Our Values

   What If God Was One of Us?

   The Bucket List

   Stages of Faith

   Play’s the Thing

   Where Would You Be Without UU?

   Ethical Wills

 

Saturday Morning Covenant Group (new members still welcome):

l Meeting Day & Time:  Monthly on 1st Sat. at 10:30 AM

l Meeting Location:  Panera Bread, corner of State St. and Schrock Rd. in Westerville)

l Next Meeting:  January 8 (not on January 1)

l Facilitator:  Dick Leavy (614-890-7319, rckleavy@sbcglobal.net)

l Upcoming Topics:

    January 8    "The Process of Change" (Dick will send out preliminary information on the topic one week prior)

   February 5      Ethical Wills

   March  12 (instead of the 5th)  Forever Young

   April  2        Balance

   May    7        this session will be a free-form discussion

   June   4        Perfectionism and Procrastination

 

For additional information, pick up our new brochure about the Covenant Group program, which is located in the literature rack in the sanctuary.  A description of each topic appears in the brochure.

 

If you have general questions or other comments about covenant groups, please send a note to Rev. Susan Ritchie at RevRitchie@aol.com.

 

 

 

 

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January Calendar Preview:                      

(N) = Nielsen House  (F) = Fellowship Hall

(S) = Sanctuary

January 2

Social Action Committee (N) 

(confirm date with Chair Tracy Steinbrenner)

January 8

10:30am – Covenant Group (Panera Bread)

January 9

Loose Change Sunday

Fair Trade Sale after service

12:00pm – Coming of Age Parent Orientation (N)

January 11

Worship Committee meeting

7:00pm – “Menu for the Future” discussion

January 13

7:00pm – Covenant Group (F)

January 15

9:00am – Board Meeting (F)

January 16

12:00pm – Coming of Age Mentor Orientation (N)

January 18

Noon - Brown Bag Books (F)

7:00pm – “Menu for the Future” discussion

January 19

10:00am – Covenant Group (N)

February newsletter submission deadline

January 21-22

COA Retreat (starts Friday evening—F & N)

January 25

7:00pm – “Menu for the Future” discussion

January 30

Chili Cook-Off after service (F)

 

Adult Education Classes Planned

 

NUUC is pleased to offer the following Adult Education classes for the new year; see sign-up sheets on the bulletin board to register.  Child care will be offered upon request.  For questions concerning these offerings, contact Rev. Susan Ritchie at 740-657-8081, ext. 2 or RevRitchie@aol.com

 

Final Passages.  Rev Ritchie offers a workshop on the specifically religious aspects of end of life arrangements.  What range of choices are available regarding the handling of the body, funerals, and memorial services?  How does theology inform those choices?   What arrangements should you make in advance for yourself, or, how do you arrange appropriate services for a loved one?  Sunday, February 20, 12-1:30 PM, Nielsen House (sign up by Sunday, Feb. 13).

 

UU Theology.  What and how do UUs believe about God, evil, human nature, the nature of truth, and just about everything else all packed into one workshop (we will schedule more follow up sessions if there is a demand)!  Offered by Rev. Ritchie, Sunday, April 10, 12-1:30PM, Nielsen House (sign up by Sunday, April 3).

 

The “Menu for the Future” class to be led by Commissioned Lay Leaders Allison Fagan and Teri Cornell will begin on Tuesday evening, Jan. 11 and run for seven weeks.  Participants are invited to meet at 7:00pm in Fellowship Hall for snacks and conversation; class runs from 7:30pm-9:00pm.  (Registration closed on December 26, but if you have questions, contact Rev. Susan Ritchie.)

 

Fair Trade Sale January 9

 

The Social Action Committee will hold its monthly Fair Trade Sale after the service on Sunday, January 9 (held the second Sunday of every month).  Your purchase of fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate supports economic justice in coffee-growing communities.  See Brandy or Paul Montgomery for more info (brandy.montgomery@gmail.com)

 

OMD Winter Institute February 2011

Join us for a relaxing and "schedule and stress free" weekend for UUs of all ages at the 11th Annual Ohio Meadville District’s “Winter Institute” to be held February 18-21, 2011.  There are frosty outdoor activities like sledding, hiking and cross country skiing.  For those who choose to stay in their slippers all weekend, there is a beautiful lodge with its many cozy corners and fireplaces. The pool and hot tub are truly a wintertime treat. There are fellow UUs always ready to play board games or to join in the community jigsaw puzzle. We have wonderful community worship services and great conversations.

Winter Institute is held at Salt Fork State Park, the flagship lodge of the Ohio State Park System, located near Cambridge, Ohio.  It is 2 hours from Columbus, Cleveland or Pittsburgh.  The park has a beautiful lodge with an indoor pool, game room with pool tables, ping pong tables and video games, lounge and hiking trails. The lodge is handicap accessible.

Register at the OMD website by January 28th and reserve your room directly with Salt Fork and ask for the UU conference rate (room block will be held until January 17.)

For more information and to register go to http://www.ohiomeadville.org/conference/omdwi.html

Chili Cook-Off Jan. 30

 

Description: Description: C:\Users\Susan\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\52VACXKU\MC900154068[1].wmfIt’s time again for the NUUC Annual Chili Cook-Off.  Join us Sunday, January 30 after the service for food and fun! 

 

Past years’ winners include David Petras, who swept the “Meat” category with his Mexican Chocolate Chili in 2009, and Diane Mattox created the top Vegetarian chili that same year.  Are you up to the challenge?  

 

On Sunday, January 30, bring your best chili entry, either Vegetarian or Meat.  If you don’t wish to bring chili, please do bring your appetite and help us crown the “Campeónes de Chili!”  See the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall for more info and to sign up your entry.  Contact Jan Bourke with any questions: jdb135@wowway.com or 614-268-6390.

 

 

Thanks for Helping with NUUC Mowing!

 

As you may know, for this past mowing season, we handled the mowing ourselves at NUUC.  Our coordinated mowing efforts went quite well and saved a lot of money.  We estimate we saved $2,400 by not contracting out the mowing.  Instead, for the grounds around the church and Nielsen House, the Building and Grounds Committee members took turns mowing each week except for one week each month, which was handled by a volunteer from the congregation. 

 

At this time, we would like to thank the congregational volunteers for their efforts to fill out the mowing schedule.  Specifically, a big thank you goes to the following congregational volunteers for mowing once during the summer:

Yvonne Clippinger

Tracy Steinbrenner

Neil Kirby

Traci Aquara

Steve Mallett

Brad Dana

In addition, we thank Fred & Nancy Kohn, who signed up to mow at the end of the season but the growth of the grass slowed so much they didn’t need to mow.

 

For 3 weeks each month, 3 members of the B & G Committee took turns mowing.  We give a hearty thank you to these committee members for their efforts each month:

John Rodeheffer

Roger Orwick

Bob Keith

 

Also, we give a great big thank you to B&G Committee member Gary Rusk for his work mowing the large field at the rear of our property plus west of the parking lot.  Gary volunteered to handle mowing the fields for the entire mowing season, which really enhanced the appearance of our property.

 

Lastly, mowing is not complete unless you trim the edges.  We give a big thank you to Don Dillemuth for his weed trimming efforts each month, which added a lot to the grounds’ overall good appearance.

 

Since our volunteer mowing approach worked so well, we plan to continue this approach in the coming mowing season.  Watch for more information on our mowing plans as Spring approaches.

 

 

Reminder: Renew your Kroger Plus Cards

 

Description: Description: C:\Users\Susan\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\NZNLPY6I\MC900295586[1].wmfThanks to all of you who have registered (or renewed) your Kroger Plus card with the Community Rewards program and designating NUUC as your recipient.  (We recently received a rewards check for $226.11 – way to shop!)  Individual participation must be renewed annually, so be sure you have updated your record.

 

If you haven’t registered or need to update your participation:  Go to http://www.kroger.com and select Kroger Community Rewards at the bottom of the page.  You’ll need your account information or your Plus card number to complete the registration.  It is a little cumbersome, but the sooner you do it the sooner your purchases start counting toward another nice donation from Kroger.  (Should you need it, our NUUC Nonprofit Organization Number is 84869).

 

NUUC Directory Fall Update

 

The Fall update to the NUUC Directory of Members and Friends was disseminated via e-mail in November.  Sending out this information via e-mail is more cost-effective and allows us to make more timely updates.

 

However, if you have no means to print out a copy of the directory or ever just wish to receive a paper copy, kindly let Jeri Dill know at nuucjdill@aol.com or 740-657-8081, ext. 1, noting whether you are able to pick it up at church (to save postage) or you need it mailed to you.

 

Help us keep the directory information current--please notify Jeri if your address, phone, or e-mail information needs updating.

 

 

 

 

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